NDIS Housing Providers - SDA and SIL Homes in Adelaide and Hobart
Care Assure is a registered NDIS housing provider operating Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes across South Australia and Tasmania.
What is NDIS Housing?
NDIS housing refers to accommodation funded or supported by the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It is not a single type of housing; it is a category that includes several different funded support options, each designed to meet a different level of housing need.
The NDIS funds housing support under two main budget categories: Core Supports (which funds support workers who assist you day-to-day and temporary accommodation, such as STA and MTA) and Capital Supports (which funds the specialist building itself under the SDA program). Understanding which category applies to your situation is the first step to finding the right housing option.
Care Assure provides housing support under both categories, SDA homes (Capital Supports) with SIL support (Core Supports) delivered within them, as well as Short Term Accommodation and Medium Term Accommodation for participants in transition.
NDIS Housing Types - SDA, SIL, MTA, STA
Here is a plain summary of the main NDIS housing and accommodation support types:
| Housing Type | What It Funds | Duration | Who It Is For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) | The physical home, purpose-built or modified for high support needs | Long-term/permanent | Participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs |
| SIL (Supported Independent Living) | Support workers who help you live in any home | Ongoing | Participants who need daily living support to live independently |
| STA (Short Term Accommodation) | All-inclusive temporary stay incl. meals, care, activities | Up to 14 days/booking, 28/year | Participants wanting a short break, carers needing respite |
| MTA (Medium Term Accommodation) | Accommodation only during housing transition | Up to 90 days | Participants waiting for permanent SDA, SIL, or home modifications |
| ILO (Individualised Living Options) | Flexible support in a home of your choice | Ongoing | Participants who want more control over where and how they live |
Care Assure provides SDA, SIL, STA, and MTA from our homes in SA and TAS. ILO arrangements are available in select locations.
Current SDA and SIL Vacancies
Care Assure maintains an up-to-date listing of all available SDA and SIL vacancies on our properties page. Each listing shows the property address, SDA design category, bedroom count, accessibility features, and current availability.
- For Rent
- SDA - HPS
28 Matteo circle, Claremont Tas 7011
- For Rent
- SIL
2 Barrie Robran Gate, Whyalla Norrie SA 5608
- For Rent
- SIL
3 Barrie Robran Gate, Whyalla Norrie SA 5608
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) - What It Is and How It Works
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) is purpose-built or significantly modified housing funded by the NDIS for participants with very high support needs or extreme functional impairment. SDA is not the daily support itself; it is the physical home, built to specific design standards that allow support services to be delivered safely and effectively.
The NDIA funds SDA by paying an SDA contribution directly to the registered SDA provider. The participant pays a Reasonable Rent Contribution (RRC), typically around 25% of the Disability Support Pension plus Commonwealth Rent Assistance. The participant does not pay full market rent; the NDIS covers the gap above the RRC to make purpose-built disability housing financially viable.
SDA is enrolled with the NDIA against specific design categories and building types. The funding amount NDIA pays depends on the home's design category and the building type (house, apartment, villa). Higher-spec design categories attract higher SDA funding rates, which are set annually in the NDIS SDA Pricing Arrangements.
The Four SDA Design Categories
Every SDA property is enrolled under one of four design categories. The category reflects the level of specialist design the home provides and determines the NDIS funding rate. Care Assure operates homes across all four categories.
- Improved Liveability: Homes designed for participants with sensory, cognitive, or intellectual disability who need improved design and layout. These homes have better lighting, reduced noise, and layouts that support participants with sensory processing needs. Suitable for participants with autism spectrum conditions, acquired brain injury, or intellectual disability.
- Fully Accessible: Homes designed for participants with significant physical impairment who need full wheelchair access and accessibility throughout. Features include wide corridors, turning circles, accessible bathrooms, and level access throughout the entire home. Suitable for participants who use a wheelchair full-time or have significant mobility limitations.
- Robust: Homes built with reinforced materials and layouts that reduce the risk of damage and injury for participants with complex behaviours. Robust homes have features like reinforced walls and doors, secure fencing, and layouts that minimise sightlines that could escalate behaviour. Suitable for participants with behaviours of concern, acquired brain injury, or forensic backgrounds.
- High Physical Support: The highest specification design category. These homes include all Fully Accessible features plus advanced assistive technology: ceiling hoists throughout, back-up power for life-sustaining equipment, automated doors, and climate control. Suitable for participants who require 24-hour care and complex assistive technology to function safely at home.
When contacting Care Assure about TAS SDA availability, advise the design category approved in your NDIS plan. HPS and Robust SDA are our primary TAS categories and where most of our vacancy movement occurs.
SDA Eligibility - Who Qualifies?
SDA is not available to all NDIS participants. The NDIA applies specific eligibility criteria, and most NDIS participants do not qualify.
To be eligible for SDA funding, you must meet both of the following conditions:
- Condition 1 — Extreme functional impairment or very high support needs: The NDIA must determine that you have either extreme functional impairment (meaning everyday activities require frequent physical assistance) or very high support needs (requiring extensive daily support that would be unsafe in a standard home). This is assessed through your functional capacity assessment and supporting evidence from your allied health team.
- Condition 2 — SDA housing improves your outcomes: The NDIA must determine that living in SDA is likely to improve your housing outcomes and independence compared to other options. This is typically demonstrated through an Occupational Therapist report that identifies why standard or modified housing cannot meet your needs safely.
If you think you may be eligible for SDA, the first step is to speak with your NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator and request a functional capacity assessment. Your support coordinator can help gather the evidence needed to support an SDA application. Care Assure can work with your team during this process to identify which of our properties might suit you once funding is approved.
How SDA Funding Works
Understanding SDA funding prevents surprises and helps you plan your housing search. Here is how the money works:
SDA Funding is Paid
Directly
The NDIS pays your approved SDA funding directly to the registered SDA provider to cover the cost of specialist disability accommodation.
Pay a Reasonable Rent Contribution
Participants contribute a Reasonable Rent Contribution (RRC), typically around 25% of the Disability Support Pension (DSP) plus Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
Personal Care is Funded Separately
SDA funding only covers your accommodation. Personal care, daily living supports, and SIL are funded separately through your NDIS plan.
Funding Depends on Your
SDA Category
Funding varies by your approved SDA design category, such as High Physical Support or Improved Liveability, and is set by the NDIS.
Confirm Your Funding
Amount
Your Support Coordinator can confirm your SDA funding in your NDIS plan, helping you find properties that match your approved funding level.
SDA vs SIL - What's the Difference?
This is one of the most common sources of confusion in NDIS housing. SDA and SIL are separate supports funded from different budget categories, but they often operate together in the same home.
| Feature | STA (Short Term Accommodation) | MTA (Medium Term Accommodation) |
|---|---|---|
| What it funds | The physical home built or modified to specialist design standards | Transitional housing while waiting for permanent accommodation |
| Budget category | Capital Supports | Core Supports |
| Who pays the provider | NDIS pays the SDA provider directly | NDIS pays the SIL provider from your Core Supports budget |
| What you pay | Reasonable Rent Contribution (~25% of DSP + rent assistance) | Nothing SIL support costs are fully NDIS-funded based on assessment |
| Duration | Long-term/permanent | Ongoing, reviewed with each plan |
| Eligibility | Strict extreme functional impairment or very high support needs | Broader, any participant who needs daily living assistance |
| Care Assure provides | Yes, SA and TAS, all 4 design categories | Yes, SA and TAS, registered nurse oversight |
Most Care Assure SDA residents also receive SIL support from our team within the same property. This means you have one provider managing both your housing and your daily support, which simplifies coordination and ensures continuity of care.
How to Get SDA Funding in Your NDIS Plan
Speak with your NDIS Planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to discuss your support needs and confirm whether you may be eligible for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) funding.
Work with your Occupational Therapist (OT) to prepare evidence explaining your functional needs and why SDA housing is the most suitable option for your circumstances.
Your Support Coordinator will lodge your supporting evidence with the NDIA, which will assess your eligibility and determine the appropriate SDA design category.
Once approved, explore suitable SDA properties with Care Assure, arrange a property visit, and complete a smooth transition into your new home with our support.
Supported Independent Living (SIL) Homes
Care Assure's SIL homes are shared or individual properties where NDIS-funded support workers assist residents with daily living tasks. SIL is not the home itself it is the support that comes to the home. But in practice, Care Assure manages both: we own or operate the homes and provide the support workers, giving residents a single provider relationship.
Our SIL homes operate with a registered nurse overseeing each resident's care plan. Rosters of support workers are built around the needs of each home and each individual resident. We accommodate participants with standard support needs through to complex medical and behavioural needs.
SIL homes are located across Adelaide (multiple suburbs), Mount Gambier, Mount Barker, Port Augusta, Whyalla, and Hobart. Browse our properties page to see current vacancies with addresses, property features, and availability status.
Why Choose Care Assure for NDIS Housing?
- All four SDA design categories: Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, Robust, and High Physical Support available across SA and TAS.
- Registered nurse oversight: Every SIL home has a registered nurse who writes and monitors care plans. Not all NDIS housing providers offer this.
- Dual registration: NDIS registered and NIISQ registered, reflecting a higher standard of practice and accountability.
- Award-winning provider: Australian Professionals Small Business Champion Awards 2025 Winner, Citizen of the Year 2025, and Governor's Multicultural Awards 2022.
- Six locations: Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Mount Barker, Port Augusta, Whyalla, and Hobart, one of the broadest footprints of any NDIS housing provider in SA and TAS.
- One provider for housing and support: Care Assure manages both the SDA property and the SIL support in most of our homes, giving you one coordinated team rather than two separate provider relationships.
- Transparent vacancies:We publish real vacancies with real addresses. You can see what is actually available, not a generic 'contact us for availability' response.
We prioritise your well-being, independence, and peace of mind. Trust a partner dedicated to turning your needs into best, empowering experiences.
What our client says about us?
Care Assure’s Supported Independent Living program has given me a newfound sense of independence. Their team is so supportive and accommodating, ensuring my needs are met every step of the way. I finally feel empowered to lead my life on my terms!
NDIS Housing Locations - South Australia and Tasmania
Care Assure operates NDIS housing across the following locations. Each location has dedicated sub-pages with specific properties, vacancies, and local service information:
- Adelaide (SA): Our largest base. Multiple SDA and SIL properties across greater Adelaide, including Robust, High Physical Support, Fully Accessible, and Improved Liveability homes.
- Mount Gambier (SA): SDA and SIL properties in regional SA's second-largest city, with access to community services and disability support networks.
- Mount Barker (SA): Properties in the Adelaide Hills with access to both Hills communities and the greater Adelaide metropolitan area.
- Port Augusta (SA): NDIS housing in the upper Spencer Gulf region, suited to participants from mid-north and far-north SA
- Whyalla (SA): SDA and SIL housing in Whyalla, with a close-knit community environment and local disability services.
- Hobart (TAS): Tasmania's capital, offering full access to city services, Royal Hobart Hospital, and specialist allied health providers. Multiple SDA and SIL properties available.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)?
SDA is purpose-built or significantly modified housing funded by the NDIS for participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs. The NDIS pays an SDA contribution directly to the registered provider. The participant pays a Reasonable Rent Contribution, typically around 25% of the Disability Support Pension plus Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
- Who is eligible for SDA funding?
SDA eligibility requires that you have either extreme functional impairment or very high support needs, AND that living in SDA housing is likely to improve your housing outcomes. The NDIA assesses eligibility based on a functional capacity assessment and supporting evidence, typically including an OT report.
- What are the four SDA design categories?
Improved Liveability for participants with sensory, cognitive, or intellectual disabilities needing improved design. Fully Accessible for participants with significant physical impairment requiring full wheelchair access. Robust for participants with complex behaviours, built with reinforced materials and safety features. High Physical Support: the highest spec, including ceiling hoists, backup power, and advanced assistive technology.
- What is the difference between SDA and SIL?
SDA funds the specialist building's physical home. SIL funds the support workers who assist you in that home. They are funded under different NDIS budget categories (Capital Supports for SDA, Core Supports for SIL) and have separate eligibility criteria. Many participants receive both SDA and SIL from the same provider, which is the case with most Care Assure residents.
- How do I get SDA into my NDIS plan?
Start by requesting a functional capacity assessment through your NDIS planner or LAC. An OT report supporting your SDA need is typically required. Your support coordinator then submits the evidence to the NDIA for assessment. If approved, SDA funding is added to your plan under Capital Supports. Care Assure can advise on suitable properties once your funding is confirmed.
- How much do I pay to live in SDA housing?
articipants pay a Reasonable Rent Contribution (RRC), typically equivalent to 25% of the Disability Support Pension plus Commonwealth Rent Assistance. The NDIS pays the remaining SDA funding contribution directly to the provider. You also pay for day-to-day living costs such as food, electricity, and internet from your own income.
- Does living in SDA automatically include support workers?
No. SDA funds the home, not the support. If you need daily support workers, this is funded separately through SIL or your Core Supports budget. Many SDA providers, including Care Assure, also offer SIL support, which means you can have both your housing and your daily support managed by one provider.
- What NDIS housing does Care Assure provide?
Care Assure provides SDA (all four design categories), SIL homes, Short Term Accommodation, and Medium Term Accommodation across Adelaide SA and Hobart TAS, with properties also in Mount Gambier, Mount Barker, Port Augusta, and Whyalla.
- Does Care Assure have current vacancies?
Yes. Care Assure maintains an up-to-date properties page showing all current SDA and SIL vacancies with property addresses, design categories, and availability. Visit our properties page or contact our team directly to discuss current availability in your preferred location.
- Can I visit a property before committing?
Yes. Care Assure welcomes property visits for prospective residents, their families, and support coordinators. Contact our team to arrange a visit to any of our SA or TAS properties. We can also arrange introductions to existing residents where all parties agree.
